Jonathan Crayford

Considered one of New Zealand’s foremost jazz pianists, Jonathan Crayford’s original approach to composition has seen him work extensively on film soundtracks, albums, and with bands. Immersing himself in the European, Cuban, Brazilian, and the New York scenes, Jonathan has performed with many notable musicians, honing his talent over the years in the genres of Jazz, Latin Jazz, Funk, and Classical music. He has worked with the likes of Kurt Rosenwinkel, David Binney, Mambo Macoco, Groove Collective, David Murray, Tony Allen, Questlove, Macy Gray, Bobby Carcasses, and many other international greats.

“He’s an artist embedded so deeply within his music that his persona reflects in those terms. It’s as if he were the embodiment of sonic shapes and forms.” - John Fenton, jazzlocal32.com

"This is the kind of piano I totally relate to: exploratory, thoughtful, soulful, focused. Those qualities are all sort of contradictory, or at least contrasting, which is why this kind of work is meaningful: because it is multi-dimensional." - Thomas Conrad critic for Jazz Times

"A huge talent, Jonathan is a true original who explores creative musical opportunities, when or wherever they might arise. I consider him to be one of the very finest creative musical talents to have ever come from Aotearoa." - Mike Nock, ONZM., Mmus